WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 5026

Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Bernie Sanders

Imposes front-of-package warning labels on certain foods and bans junk-food advertising to children to curb obesity and type 2 diabetes risk.

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5026

Overview

  • Bill: S. 5026, Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2026
  • Session: 119th Congress
  • Sponsor: Senator Bernie Sanders (co-sponsor)
  • Core aims: Require warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages/foods, high-intensity sweeteners, ultra-processed foods, and foods high in nutrients of concern; restrict junk food advertising to children; enhance NIH nutrition research; and bolster public education on nutrition and physical activity. It also restores the FTC’s authority to regulate child-directed advertising.

Main purpose and intent

  • Reduce diet-related chronic diseases in children, particularly obesity and type 2 diabetes, by increasing consumer awareness through labeling and by limiting advertising that targets children.
  • Build a federal framework for nutrition science, enforcement, and public education to inform healthier choices and reduce risk factors associated with diet-related diseases.

Key provisions and changes

Title I — Department of Health and Human Services

  1. Health warning labeling and advertising restrictions (Section 101)

    • Front-of-package warning labels for:
      • Sugar-sweetened beverages: Must include a FDA warning about obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay; prominent display (front of container, at least 5% of front area) with a triangle exclamation-point icon.
      • Foods with high-intensity sweeteners: Warning that the product contains high-intensity sweeteners; prominent, front-display labeling with the same area/icon requirements.
      • Ultra-processed foods: Warning about weight gain and heightened diabetes risk; prominent front labeling with the same display requirements.
      • Foods with nutrients of concern (e.g., added sugar, saturated fat, sodium): For each nutrient, a label “High in ” with an octagonal border; front display of at least 5% of container area.
    • Definitions:
      • High-intensity sweeteners: Includes common artificial/sugar alternatives (acesulfame K, aspartame, Advantame, cyclamates, monk fruit, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, etc.).
      • Sugar-sweetened beverages: 25+ calories per 12 oz with added caloric sweeteners; excludes infant formula, medical use beverages, meal/replacement nutrition drinks, milk products, 100% natural juice, and alcoholic beverages.
      • Ultra-processed foods: Industrial ingredients and additives; excludes FDA-defined “healthy” products and infant formula.
    • Online sales: Regulations to apply labeling requirements to foods sold online.
    • Effective date: Provisions take effect one year after enactment.
    • NIH/Nutrition science implications (Section 102): NIH to expand programs researching ultra-processed foods, additives, safety of ingredients, and hyper-palatable properties linked to addiction; NIH to hold public nutrition meetings every 5 years and report to Congress (with a requirement for diverse participants and exclusion of some industry-affiliated speakers); authorized appropriations: $60 million per fiscal year 2027-2031.

  2. Public education and outreach (Section 103)

    • Nutrition and physical activity public education campaign to educate the public on how to read warning labels, health risks of obesity and poor nutrition, and strategies for healthier habits.
    • Funding: $10 million per fiscal year 2027-2031.

Title II — Federal Trade Commission

  1. Definitions (Section 201)

    • Child defined as under age 13.
    • Child-directed advertising defined by use of themes appealing to children or audience composition (30%+ children) in relevant media.
    • Junk food tied to the labeling requirements in Section 101.

  2. Advertising restrictions for junk foods aimed at children (Section 202)

    • Prohibition on marketing junk foods to children via child-directed advertising.
    • Mandatory disclosure of health/nutrient warning labels in any junk food advertisements.
    • Effective date: 1 year after enactment.
    • Enforcement: FTC enforcement as unfair or deceptive practices; powers extend to common carriers; standard rulemaking under the Administrative Procedures Act.

  3. Restoring FTC rulemaking on child advertising (Section 203)

    • Repeals the prohibition on FTC rulemaking related to children’s advertising (removes existing Section 18(h) barrier).
    • Aligns with broader FTC authority to regulate advertising practices targeting children.

Funding and timelines

  • Appropriations:
    • HHS labeling and enforcement: $5,000,000 per year (FY 2027-2031) for regulation and enforcement of labeling provisions.
    • NIH nutrition research program: $60,000,000 per year (FY 2027-2031).
    • Nutrition/physical activity public education campaign: $10,000,000 per year (FY 2027-2031).
  • Effective dates:
    • Labels and advertising restrictions: 1 year after enactment.
    • FTC advertising restrictions: 1 year after enactment.
    • NIH/Nutrition research program and public education campaign: ongoing funding per 2027-2031 iterations; specific start is tied to enactment timelines.

Affected parties and potential impact

  • Consumers, especially families and caregivers, who purchase and consume foods and beverages covered by the labeling requirements.
  • Food and beverage manufacturers and retailers (including online sellers) who would need to redesign labeling and online presentation, and adjust marketing practices.
  • Advertising industry and marketing agencies, particularly those creating child-directed campaigns or using child-focused promotional tactics.
  • Federal agencies (FDA, FTC, NIH, CDC, and other health and education entities) responsible for implementing labeling rules, enforcement, and public health campaigns.
  • Researchers and public health stakeholders engaged in nutrition science and obesity/diabetes prevention efforts.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The act schedules a one-year runway before labeling and advertising restrictions go into effect.
  • It authorizes multi-year funding (2027-2031) for labeling enforcement, NIH nutrition research, and the national public education campaign.
  • It directs NIH to convene periodic nutrition-focused meetings every five years with public reporting to Congress and NIH website publication.
  • It expands FTC authority to regulate and enforce child-directed advertising and requires disclosure of health/nutrient warnings in junk-food ads.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary for a policy brief, a legislative memo, or a stakeholder briefing with a one-page quick take and a detailed section-by-section appendix.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.